Did Cats Domesticate Us?

Scientists say they have discovered the first ever proof that cats have been living off humans for more than 5,000 years. While many would argue that the unruly felines have never really been “domesticated”, the new archaeological study sheds unprecedented light on the moment the first wildcats stopped hunting for themselves, and started scrounging off us.

An archaeological dig at the ancient Chinese farming village of Quanhucun has uncovered the remains of humans, cats, pigs, rodents and deer who lived side-by-side at some point around 5,300 years.

Some the cats in the village seem to have lived very long lives compared to wild cats this suggests they might have been cared for by humans..